Get to know percussion player and Yamaha Artist Steven Moore

Statement about your relation with Yamaha or your instrument:

I have had a long-standing and highly valued relationship with Yamaha as a Yamaha Music School operator. Throughout this time, Yamaha has provided consistent and meaningful support in the development and growth of my music school, helping to establish a strong and sustainable learning environment for students of all ages. Beyond the school itself, Yamaha's support has extended into the wider community. Through their guidance, resources, and encouragement, I have been able to develop and sustain a range of community ensembles, from wind bands to full symphony orchestras, as well as to establish and grow a professional concert series. These initiatives have created valuable performance and educational opportunities for students, amateur musicians, and professional performers alike, enriching the cultural life of the community.

How does your instrument help you in your daily life as an artist?

My Yamaha YM-6100 marimba has become an essential part of my daily life as an artist, shaping both my performance practice and my academic work. Since purchasing the instrument, it has strengthened my solo performances through its exceptional tonal clarity and warmth, allowing me to communicate musical ideas with greater depth and confidence. Beyond the concert stage, the YM-6100 has been a fundamental part of my PhD research, supporting my exploration of repertoire, technique, and sound production at a highly detailed level. In my everyday artistic life, the marimba supports everything from intensive practice to professional performance and scholarly investigation. It has enhanced the quality of my musical output and deepened my engagement with the instrument and its possibilities.

How would you characterise your instrument?

My Yamaha YM-6100 marimba feels like an extension of my own musical voice. As a percussionist, I rely on its rich, warm tone and clarity to shape every phrase, whether I am performing solo, working with ensembles, or developing new repertoire. It supports the way I play and think about sound, allowing me to express ideas with confidence and subtlety, and it has become a trusted part of my everyday artistic life.

Who was your most influential teacher and is there any advice which you still follow?

My most influential teacher was my drum teacher, Geoff Hutchinson, who later became an important mentor in my professional life. He supported me through my undergraduate and master's degrees, helped guide me into professional work, and encouraged me into university teaching. In my early development he inspired me to build a strong and disciplined technique, and his belief in my potential gave me the confidence to pursue a career as both a performer and educator. The advice I still follow most from him is to always keep refining fundamental techniques, which continues to shape the performer and teacher I am today.

Advice for a young musician:

My advice to young percussionists is to build strong fundamentals from the very beginning, because good technique, time, and sound will support everything you do throughout your career. At the same time, say yes to opportunities, play with as many people as you can, and learn from every rehearsal, performance, because it is through these experiences that you grow into a confident and versatile musician.